ES2326278T3 - CONTAINER FOR PRINTING MATERIAL, AND A PLATE COUPLED TO THE CONTAINER FOR PRINTING MATERIAL. - Google Patents

Abstract

A removable printing material container (100) that is coupled to a printing apparatus (1000) which contains a plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, the printing material container comprising: a first device (203) and a group of terminals that includes a plurality of first terminals (220, 230, 260, 270, 280), in which the plurality of first terminals are connected to the first device and respectively include a first contact portion (cp) for making contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus; characterized in that it also comprises: a second device (104); and a plurality of second terminals (250, 290) and at least a third terminal (210, 240) in the terminal group, in which: the plurality of second terminals are connected to the second device and respectively includes a second contact portion for making contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus the plurality of second terminals are arranged to have a voltage applied externally to them higher than the plurality of first terminals, the at least one third terminal is to detect short circuits between one of said second terminals and the at least a third terminal and includes a third contact portion to make contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, the second contact portions are arranged with a portion of the plurality of the first contact portions so that they form a first row, the second The contact portions are disposed respectively at each end of the first row, and the at least one third contact portion and the remaining portion of the plurality of the first contact portions are arranged so that they form a second row, and the minus a third contact portion is disposed at one of the two ends of the second row.

Description

Container for printing material, and a plate attached to the container for printing material.

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to a container for printing material containing a material of printing and a plate attached to the container for material impression, and will refer in particular to an arrangement of a plurality of terminals arranged in these components.

Background Technique

Recently, it has become a common practice equipping used ink cartridges in jet printers ink or other printing devices with a device, for example, a memory to store information related to ink. Too another device is placed in said ink cartridges, for example, a high voltage circuit (eg a level sensor of remaining ink using a piezoelectric element) applied with a voltage higher than the driving voltage of memory. In those cases, there are examples in which the ink cartridge and the printing apparatus are electrically connected to through terminals. A structure is proposed to prevent the storage medium short circuit and it damage because a drop is deposited on the terminals that connect the printing device with the storage medium supplied to the ink cartridge.

However, the aforementioned technologies do not contemplate an ink cartridge that is equipped with a plurality of devices, for example, a memory and a circuit high voltage, with terminals for a device and the terminals for another device. With this type of cartridges, there was a risk of a short circuit occurring between a terminal for one device and the terminal for the other device. Such a short circuit caused the problem of possible damage to the ink cartridge or to the printing apparatus in which the cartridge of ink is installed. This problem is not limited to the cartridges of ink, but it is a common problem to the receptacles that They contain other printing materials, for example, toner.

EP1219437 discloses a plate of circuit for an ink cartridge in which a circular test terminal on top and other terminals They are arranged in two rows below. Terminals are provided with ground at the respective ends of the bottom row.

US2004 / 0155913 discloses a cartridge of ink that incorporates a sensor.

Exhibition of the invention

An advantage of some aspects of this invention is to provide a container for material of impression that contains a plurality of devices, with the which damage to the container for printing material and to printing device caused by a short circuit between the terminals can be prevented or reduced.

The present invention provides containers for impression material detachably attachable to a printing apparatus, a plate connectable to a container for printing material, a plate connectable to a device printing and procedures, all as defined in the claims.

The second contact parts of the seconds terminals connected to the second device are arranged in the ends, so that other contact parts adjacent to the second contact parts are in smaller numbers, and by consequently the second terminals are less likely to short circuit with terminals that include other parts of Contact. Consequently, damage to the container for printing material or to the printing apparatus caused by such short circuit.

These and other objects, features Distinctive, aspects and advantages of the present invention will result  evident from the description of the embodiments favorites presented below along with the figures attached.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the structure of the printing apparatus of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the ink cartridge structure of the embodiment;

Figs. 3A-B show diagrams of the structure of the plate relative to the realization;

Fig. 4 shows an illustration showing the ink cartridge insert in the holder;

Fig. 5 shows an illustration showing the ink cartridge attached to the holder;

Figs. 6A-B show schemes of the structure of the contact mechanism;

Fig. 7 shows a brief diagram of the electrical arrangement of the ink cartridge and the device Print;

Fig. 8 shows a brief diagram of the electrical arrangement, focusing on the detection circuit of the cartridge / short circuit detection;

Fig. 9 shows a flow chart that describes the processing routine of the determination process of the cartridge;

Figs. 10A-C show illustrations that describe three types of terminal lines in the  license plate;

Fig. 11 shows a flow chart that describes the processing routine of the detection process of the remaining ink level;

Figs. 12A-C show time diagrams describing the temporary change in the signal that Allows detection of short circuits and sensor voltage during the execution of the ink level detection process remaining;

Fig. 13 shows an illustration of a short circuit situation;

Figs. 14A-D show first diagrams describing the plates relating to the variants;

Figs. 15A-C show second diagrams describing the plates relating to the variants;

Figs. 16A-D show third diagrams describing the plates relating to variants;

Figs. 17A-D show diagrams describing the structure surrounding the plates of the print cartridges relating to variants;

Figs. 18A-D show cuts cross-sections A-A to D-D of Fig. 17;

Figs. 19A-D show rooms diagrams describing the plates relating to the variants;

Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of the structure of the ink cartridge relative to a variant;

Fig. 21 shows a drawing of the cartridge of ink relative to a variant that is coupled to the printer;

Fig. 22 shows a first diagram of the ink cartridge structure relative to a variant;

Fig. 23 shows a second diagram of the ink cartridge structure relative to a variant;

Fig. 24 shows a third diagram of the Ink cartridge structure of a variant.

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Better ways of carrying out the invention

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A. Realization Layout of the printing device and ink cartridge

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the structure of the printing apparatus of an embodiment of the invention. The printing apparatus 1000 has a sub-scan feed mechanism, a main scan feed mechanism, and a head drive mechanism. The sub-sweep feed mechanism carries the printing paper P in the sub-sweep direction using a paper feed roller 10 driven by a paper feed motor, which is not shown. The main sweep feed mechanism uses the power of a carriage 2 motor to alternate in the main sweep direction with a carriage 3 connected to a drive belt. The head dragging mechanism drags a print head 5 coupled to the carriage 3, to eject the ink and form dots. The printing apparatus 1000 further comprises a main control circuit 40 for controlling the various mechanisms mentioned above. The main control circuit 40 is connected to the carriage 3 by a flexible cable 37.

The carriage 3 comprises a support 4, the print head 5 mentioned above, and a carriage circuit, which is described below. The support 4 is designed to fit a plurality of ink cartridges, which is described below, and is located at the top of the printhead 5. In the example described in Fig. 1, the support 4 is designed for four ink cartridges to be coupled, for example, individual coupling of four types of ink cartridges containing black, yellow, magenta and cyan ink. Four covers that can be opened and closed 11 are attached to the holder 4 for each ink cartridge attached. Also available on the top of the printhead are 5 ink supply needles 6 to supply the ink from the ink cartridges to the printhead.
print 5.

The structure of the print cartridge of the embodiment described below with reference to the Figs. 2-5. Fig. 2 shows a view in perspective of the print cartridge structure of the realization. Figs. 3A-B show diagrams of the structure of the plate relative to the embodiment. Fig. 4 shows an illustration describing the cartridge insert ink in the holder. Fig. 5 shows an illustration showing the ink cartridge attached to the holder. 100 ink cartridge coupled to the support 4 comprises a box 101 containing ink, a cover 102 that closes the opening of the box 101, a plate 200, and a sensor 104. On the bottom face of the box 101 a hole for the ink supply 110 into which the ink supply needle 6 mentioned above when the cartridge of ink 100 is attached to the support 4. On the upper edge of the FR front face of the case 101 a widened section 103 is formed. At the bottom of the center of the front face FR of the case 101 a hole 105 is formed surrounded by upper grooves and lower 107, 106. The aforementioned plate 200 fits into this gap 105. Sensor 104 is placed in the region that is behind plate 200. Sensor 104 is used to detect the level ink remaining, as described below.

Fig. 3A describes the arrangement on the plate surface 200. This surface is the face that is exposed to the outside when the plate 200 is coupled to the ink cartridge 100. Fig. 3B describes the plate 200 view of side stand. A reinforcing groove 201 is formed on the upper edge of the plate 200, and a reinforcing hole 202 is formed at the edge bottom of plate 200. As shown in Fig. 1, with the plate 200 coupled to the recess 105 of the box 101, the reinforcements 108 and 109 that form on the underside of the recess 105 are coupled with the reinforcement groove 201 and the reinforcement hole 202 respectively. The distal ends of reinforcements 108 and 109 They are crushed to seal. Thus, the plate 200 is secured inside the hole 105.

The following description of the ink cartridge coupling 100 refers to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. As described in Fig. 4, the cover 11 is designed to rotate about a rotation axis 9. With the cover 11 turned up in the open position, when the ink cartridge 100 is being coupled to the support, the enlarged section 103 of the ink cartridge is received by a projection 14 of the cover 11. When the cover 11 is closed from this position, the projection 14 rotates downward, and the ink cartridge 100 descends (in the Z direction of Fig. 4). When the cover 11 is completely closed, a hook 18 of the cover 11 is locked with a hook 16 of the support 4. When the cover 11 is completely closed, the ink cartridge 100 is secured by the pressure of an elastic member 20 against the support 4. Also, when the cover 11 is completely closed, the ink supply needle 6 is inserted into the ink supply hole 110 of the ink cartridge 100, and the ink contained in the ink cartridge 100 is supplied to the printing device 1000 through the ink supply needle 6. From the above description, it is evident that the ink cartridge 100 is coupled to the support 4 by its insertion so that it moves forward in the direction of the Z axis of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The forward direction of the Z axis of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is also called the insertion direction of the cartridge
100 ink

Returning to Fig. 3, more will be described in detail plate 200. Arrow R of Fig. 3 (a) indicates the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 100 described above. As described in Fig. 3, plate 200 comprises a memory 203 located on its rear face, and a terminal group composed of nine terminals 210-290 located in the front face Memory 203 stores information related to the ink contained in the ink cartridge 100. The terminals 210-290 are generally rectangular in shape and are they have in two rows generally orthogonal to the address of insert R. Of the two rows, the row that is on the side of the insertion direction R, that is, the row located on the side lower in Fig. 3 (a), it will be called the lower row, and the row located on the opposite side of the insertion direction R, is that is, the row located on the upper side in Fig. 3 (a), It will be called top row. The terminals located to form the top row are constituted, in order from the left in the Fig. 3 (a), through a first terminal for detection of short circuit 210, a ground terminal 220, a terminal 230 power supply, and a second terminal for detection of short circuit 240. The terminals located to form the row lower are constituted, in order from the left in Fig. 3 (a), by a first sensor terminal 250, a reset terminal 260, a synchronization terminal 270, a information terminal 280, and a second drive terminal of the sensor 290. As illustrated in Fig. 3, each of the terminals 210-290 contains a portion in the center  CP contact to make contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, as described below.

The 210-240 terminals that they form the top row and terminals 250-290 that form the bottom row are arranged differently one with with respect to the other, forming what is called disposition in form  alternated, so that the centers of the terminals are not aligned with each other in the insertion direction R. As a result, similarly, the contact portions CP of the terminals 210-240 forming the upper row and portions of contact CP of terminals 250-290 that form the bottom row are arranged differently from each other, forming what is called an alternate arrangement.

As seen in Fig. 3A, the first sensor terminal 250 is located adjacent to two other terminals (reset terminal 260 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210), and of these, the first short circuit detection terminal 210 to detect Short circuits is the one that is placed closest to the first terminal sensor impeller 250. Similarly, the second terminal sensor impeller 290 is positioned adjacent to two others terminals (the second short circuit detection terminal 240 and information terminal 280), and of these, the second terminal short circuit detection 240 to detect short circuits is which is placed closer to the second sensor drive terminal 290.

Regarding the relationships between CP contact portions, the CP contact portion of the first sensor terminal 250 is located adjacent to the CP contact portions of two other terminals (the terminal reset 260 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210). Similarly, the contact portion CP of the second sensor terminal 290 is located adjacent to the CP contact portions of two other terminals (the second short circuit detection terminal 240 and the terminal information 280).

As can be seen in Fig. 3A, the first sensor terminal 250 and the second terminal sensor impeller 290 are located at the ends of the row lower, that is, in the outermost positions of the row lower. The bottom row consists of a greater amount of terminals than the top row, and the length of the bottom row in the orthogonal direction to the insertion direction R is greater than the length of the top row, and consequently, of all terminals 210-290 contained in the upper rows and lower, the first sensor terminal 250 and the second sensor terminal 290 are located in the more external positions seen in the direction orthogonal to the direction  insert R.

Regarding the relationships between CP contact portions, the CP contact portion of the first sensor drive terminal 250 and the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 are located respectively at the ends of the row lower formed by the contact portions CP of the terminals, that is, in the outermost positions of the bottom row. Between the contact portions of all terminals 210-290 contents in the upper rows and lower, the contact portion CP of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and the contact portion CP of the second terminal sensor impeller 290 are placed in the outermost positions views in orthogonal direction to the insertion direction R.

As seen in Fig. 3A, the first terminal for short circuit detection 210 and the second terminal for detection of short circuits 240 they are placed respectively in the ends of the top row, that is, in the most positions external upper row. As a result, the contact portion CP of the first terminal for short circuit detection 210 and the CP contact portion of the second terminal for the detection of 240 short circuits are similarly located at the ends of the upper row formed by the contact portions CP of the terminals, that is, in the outermost positions of the row higher. Consequently, as will be seen below, the terminals 220, 230, 260, 270 and 280 connected to memory 203 are placed between the first terminal for short circuit detection 210 and the first sensor terminal 250, and the second terminal for short circuit detection 240 and the second terminal sensor impeller 290, located on each side.

In the embodiment, the plate 200 has a width of approximately 12.8 mm in the direction of insertion R, a width approximately 10.1 mm in the orthogonal direction to the direction of insertion R, and a thickness of approximately 0.71 mm. Each of terminals 210-290 has a width of approximately 1.8 mm in the direction of insertion R and a width of approximately 1.05 mm in orthogonal direction to the direction of insert R. The values of the dimensions given in the present are by way of example, and differences in the order of ± 0.5 mm, for example. The spaces between adjacent terminals in a given row (the bottom row or the row upper), for example the interval K between the first terminal for short circuit detection 210 and ground terminal 220 is 1 mm, for example. With respect to the spaces between the terminals, differences of the order of ± 0.5 mm are acceptable, for example. The interval J between the upper row and the lower row It is about 0.2 mm. With respect to the space between rows, differences of the order of ± 0.3 mm are acceptable, for example.

As described in Fig. 5, with the ink cartridge 100 fully coupled into the holder 4, terminals 210-290 of plate 200 are connected electrically to a circuit of the car 500 by a mechanism of contact 400 located in the support 4. The contact mechanism 400 briefly described in relation to Figs. 6A-B.

Figs. 6A-B show schemes of the structure of the contact mechanism 400. The mechanism of contact 400 has multiple slits 401, 402 of two types that they differ in their depth, which are formed alternately with a substantially constant separation in correspondence with terminals 210-290 of plate 200. Within each slit 401, 402, fits a contact member 403, 404 endowed with electrical conductivity and resistance. Of the two ends of each member that makes contact 403 and 404, the end exposed to the inner part of the support is placed in a contact flexible with a corresponding terminal between terminals 210-290 of the plate200. In Fig. 6A, they are shown the portions 410-490 which are the portions of the members who make contact 403 and 404 who make contact with terminals 210-290.Specifically, the portions 410-490 making contact with the terminals 210-290 function as disposed terminals of the side of the device to electrically connect the device 1000 print with terminals 210-290. The 410-490 portions that make contact with the terminals 210-290 will be referred to as hereafter terminals arranged on the side of the device 410-490. With the ink cartridge 100 attached to the holder 4, the terminals arranged on the side of the device 410-490 make respectively contact with the CP contact portions of the terminals 210-290 described above (Fig. 3A).

On the other hand, of the two ends of each member that makes contact 403 and 404, the end that is exposed to the outside of the support 4 is placed in elastic contact with the corresponding terminal between the terminals 510-590 supplied to carriage circuit 500.

The electrical arrangements of the cartridge ink 100 and the printing apparatus are described below, focusing on the part relative to the ink cartridge 100, and referring to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 shows a Brief diagram of the electrical layout of the ink cartridge and of the printing apparatus. Fig. 8 shows a brief diagram of the electrical arrangement, focusing on the detection circuit of the cartridge / short circuit detection.

First, the provision is described electric ink cartridge 100. From the terminals of the plate 200 described in relation to Fig. 3, ground terminal 220, the power supply terminal 230, the reset terminal 260, the synchronization terminal 270 and the information terminal 280 are electrically connected to memory 203. Memory 203 is, for example, an EEPROM comprising memory cells of serial access and that performs read / write operations of information in synchronization with a clock signal. He ground terminal 220 is connected to ground by a terminal 520 on the side of the printing apparatus 1000. The terminal of reset 260 is electrically connected to a terminal 560 of the carriage circuit 500, and is used to supply a signal from RST reset to memory 203 from carriage circuit 500. The sync terminal 270 is electrically connected to the carriage circuit 500, and is used to supply the clock signal CLK to memory 203 from carriage circuit 500. The terminal of information 280 is electrically connected to a terminal 580 of the carriage circuit 500, and is used to exchange signals of SDA information between carriage circuit 500 and memory 203

Of the terminals of the plate 200 described in in relation to Fig. 3, the first terminal for detection of 210 short circuits, or the second terminal for detection of short circuits 240, or both are electrically connected to the ground terminal 220. In the example described in Fig. 7, it is evident that the first terminal for short circuit detection 220 is electrically connected to ground terminal 220. The first terminal for short circuit detection 210 and the second terminal for short circuit detection 240 are connected respectively to terminals 510, 540 of carriage circuit 500, and are used for cartridge detection and detection of short circuits, as described below.

In the embodiment, a piezoelectric element is used as a sensor 104. The remaining ink level can be detected by applying impeller voltage to the piezoelectric element to induce it to vibration through the reverse piezoelectric effect, and by measuring the vibration frequency. of the voltage produced by the piezoelectric effect of residual vibration. Specifically, this vibration frequency represents the characteristic frequency of the surrounding structures (for example, the case 101 and the ink) that vibrate together with the piezoelectric element. The characteristic frequency changes depending on the amount of ink remaining inside the ink cartridge, so that the remaining ink can be detected by measuring this vibration frequency. Of the terminals of the plate 200 described in relation to Fig. 3, the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 is electrically connected to an electrode of the piezoelectric element used as the sensor 104, and the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 is electrically located connected to the other electrode. These terminals 250, 290 are used to exchange the driving voltage of the sensor and the output signals from the sensor 104, between the carriage circuit 500 and the
sensor 104.

The carriage circuit 500 comprises a circuit 501 memory control, a detection circuit of 502 cartridge / short circuit detection, and drive circuit of sensor 503. The memory control circuit 501 is a circuit connected to terminals 530, 560, 570, 580 of the circuit of car 500 mentioned above, and is used to control memory 203 of the ink cartridge 100 for carrying out reading / writing information. The memory control circuit 501 and memory 203 are low voltage circuits driven to a relatively low voltage (in the embodiment, a maximum of approximately 3.3 V). The memory control circuit 501 can use a known design, and if so, it does not need to be described in detail here.

The drive circuit of the sensor 503 is a circuit connected to terminals 590 and 550 of the carriage circuit 500 and is used to control the output of the driving voltage from these terminals 590 and 550 to drive sensor 104, making that the sensor 104 detects the remaining ink level. As it described below, the driving voltage is generally shaped trapezoid, and contains a relatively high voltage (in the embodiment, approximately 36 V). Specifically, the circuit sensor impeller 503 and sensor 104 are high circuits voltage that use a relatively high voltage across the terminals 590 and 550. Sensor drive circuit 503 is it consists of, for example, a logic circuit, but it does not need be described in detail herein.

The cartridge detection / detection circuit of short circuits 502, like the control circuit of 501 memory, is a low voltage circuit driven with a voltage relatively low (in the embodiment, a maximum of about 3.3 V). As described in Fig. 8, the detection circuit of the cartridge / short circuit detection 502 comprises a first 5021 detection circuit and a second 5022 detection circuit. The first detection circuit 5021 is connected to terminal 510 of the carriage circuit 500. The first detection circuit 5021 has a cartridge detection function to detect if there is contact between terminal 510 and the first detection terminal of 210 shorts of plate 200, and a detection function of short circuits to detect terminal 510 short circuits with the terminals 550 and 590 that supply the high voltage.

More specifically described, the first circuit 5021 has a reference voltage V_ref1 applied to one end of two resistors connected in series R2, R3, and the other end is grounded, that way the potential is maintained at points P1 and P2 of Fig. 4 in V_ref1 and V_ref2, respectively. Here, V_ref1 will be called the detection voltage of short circuits and V_ref2 will be called the detection voltage of the cartridge. In the embodiment, the detection voltage of Short circuits V_ref1 is set at 6.5 V, and the detection voltage of the V_ref2 cartridge is set at 2.5 V. These values are set through circuits, and are not limited to the values given in the Present.

As described in Fig. 8, the voltage of short circuit detection V_ref1 (6.5 V) enters the bolt of negative input of an operational amplifier OP1, while the V_ref2 cartridge detection voltage (2.5 V) enters bolt negative input of a second operational amplifier OP2. He Terminal 510 potential enters the input bolts positives of the first operational amplifier OP1 and the second OP2 operational amplifier. These two operational amplifiers they function as a comparator, emitting a High signal when the Negative input bolt entry potential is higher than the entry potential to the positive input bolt, and by the On the contrary, emitting a Low signal when the entry potential to the negative input bolt is lower than the entry potential to the positive input bolt.

As described in Fig. 8, the terminal 510 is connected to a 3.3V 3.3V VDD power supply using a TR1 transistor. Through this provision, if the terminal 510 is free, for example, there is no contact with terminal 510, the potential of terminal 510 is set to approximately 3 V. As indicated, when the cartridge ink 100 is coupled, terminal 510 comes into contact with the first short circuit detection terminal 210 of plate 200 previously described. Here, as described in Fig. 7, with the first short circuit detection terminal 210 and the Ground terminal 220 electrically connected (short-circuited) on plate 200, when terminal 510 comes into contact with the first short circuit detection terminal 210 (hereafter referred to as being in contact), terminal 510 is electrically continuous with ground terminal 520 and terminal potential 510 drops to 0 V.

Consequently, with terminal 510 free, it emits a High signal from the second operational amplifier OP2 as the detection signal of the CS1 cartridge. With terminal 510 in contact, a Low signal is emitted from the second amplifier OP2 as the detection signal of the CS1 cartridge.

On the other hand, if terminal 510 enters short circuit with the adjacent terminal 550, there are moments in which the sensor driving voltage (45 V maximum) will be applied to the terminal 510. As shown in Fig. 8, when a voltage greater than the voltage for short circuit detection V_ref1 (6.5 V) to terminal 510 due to a short circuit, is emitted a High signal from the operational amplifier OP1 towards a Y-circuit AA.

As shown in Fig. 8, a EN signal that allows the detection of a short circuit from the main control circuit 40 towards the other input bolt of the Y-circuit AA. As a result, only during the time interval in which a High signal is entered as the EN signal that allows the detection of short circuits, the first 5021 detection circuit emits the High signal from the amplifier OP1 as a short circuit detection signal AB1. That is, the execution of the short circuit detection function of the first detection circuit 5021 is controlled by means of an EN signal that allows the detection of short circuits of the main control circuit 40. The detection signal of short circuits AB1 of the Y-circuit AA is emitted towards the main control circuit 40, as well as towards the bolt  base of transistor TR1 through resistor R1. As a result, by means of transistor TR1 it is possible to avoid applying high voltage to VDD 3.3 power supply through terminal 510 when a short circuit is detected (when the detection signal AB1 is HI).

The second detection circuit 5022 has a cartridge detection function to detect if there is contact between terminal 540 and the second detection terminal of 240 shorts of plate 200, and a detection function of short circuits to detect short circuits of terminal 540 with the terminals 550 and 590 that supply the high voltage. Since the second detection circuit 5022 has the same arrangement as the first 5021 detection circuit, an illustration is not needed Not a detailed description. Hereinafter, the detection signal of the cartridge emitted by the second detection circuit 5022 is will be called CS2, and the short circuit detection signal will be will name AB2.

A provision of the carriage circuit 500 corresponding to a single ink cartridge 100. In the embodiment, since four cartridges of 100 ink, four of the detection circuits will be provided of cartridge / short circuit detection 502 described above, in each one of the insertion sites for 100 ink cartridges. Yes either a single 503 sensor drive circuit is provided, and a only 502 sensor drive circuit can be connected to each of the sensors 104 of the ink cartridges 100 coupled to the four insertion sites using a switch (which is not sample). The memory control circuit 501 is a single circuit responsible for the processes related to the four ink cartridges.

The main control circuit 40 is a known design computer comprising a unit of central processing (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). As indicated, the main control circuit 40 controls the printer in its whole; in Fig. 8, however, they are only illustrated in a way selective those elements necessary for the description of the embodiment, and the following description refers to the provision illustrated. The main control circuit 40 comprises a module for determining the M50 cartridge and a module for determining the M60 remaining ink level. Based on the detection signals of the CS1 cartridge, CS2 received, the cartridge determination module  M50 executes a cartridge determination procedure, which is describe later. The module for determining the level of remaining ink M60 controls the drive circuit of sensor 503 and runs a process of detecting the remaining ink level, which is describe later.

Cartridge Determination Procedure

The cartridge determination procedure executed by the M50 cartridge determination module of the main control circuit 40 is described in relation to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 shows a flow chart that describes the procedure processing routine of cartridge determination. Figs. 10A-C show illustrations describing three types of terminal lines on plate 200.

Before discussing the process of determining the cartridge, the plate 200 will be described somewhat more in relation to the Fig. 10. The aforementioned plate 200 comes in three types, depending on the wiring pattern of the first detection terminal short circuit 210, the second detection terminal of short circuits 240 and ground terminal 220. These three types are designate respectively Type A, Type B and Type C. As described in Fig. 10A, plate 200 Type A is arranged with the first short circuit detection terminal 210 and the terminal ground 220 electrically connected by a conductive line 207, while the second detection terminal of short circuits 240 and ground terminal 220 are not electrically connected As described in Fig. 10B, the 200 Type B plate is available with both the first terminal short circuit detection 210 as the second terminal of short circuit detection 240 electrically connected to the ground terminal 220 via a conductive line 207. Such as described in Fig. 10C, plate 200 Type C is arranged with the second short circuit detection terminal 240 and the terminal ground 220 electrically connected by a conductive line 207, while the first short circuit detection terminal 210 and ground terminal 220 are not electrically connected. A plate 200 of the predetermined type, selected with reference to the type of ink or the amount of ink, for example, is available in the ink cartridge 100. Specifically, depending on the amount of ink contained in ink cartridge 100, it could place a 200 Type A plate in an L-size cartridge containing a large amount of ink; a 200 Type B plate could be placed in an M size cartridge containing an amount of ink standard; and a 200 Type C plate could be placed in a cartridge S size containing a small amount of ink.

The M50 cartridge determination module of the main control circuit 40 receives from the detection circuit of the 502 cartridge / short circuit detection signals CS1, CS2 cartridge detection for each of the four sites of support 4, and by using these signals execute the cartridge determination procedure for each one of the enlistment sites.

When the cartridge determination module M50 starts the cartridge determination procedure for a selected insertion site, the module for determining the M50 cartridge first makes sure if the detection signal of the CS1 cartridge of the cartridge detection / detection circuit 502 short circuits of the selected insertion site is a signal Low (Stage S102). Then, the cartridge determination module M50 makes sure if the detection signal of the CS2 cartridge in the The selected insertion site is a Low signal (Step S104 or S106). If as a result the detection signals of the CS1 cartridge and CS2 are both Low signals (Stage S102: YES and Stage S104: YES), the M50 cartridge determination module decides that the cartridge 100 ink coupled to the selected insertion site has a plate 200 Type B (Step S108).

Similarly, the determination module of the M50 cartridge, in case the detection signal of the CS1 cartridge is a Low signal and the cartridge detection signal CS2 is a High signal (Stage S102: YES and Stage S104 NO), decides that The ink cartridge has a 200 Type A plate (Step S110); or in the case that the detection signal of the CS1 cartridge is a signal High and the detection signal of the CS2 cartridge is a Low signal (Stage S102: NO and Stage S104: YES), decide that the ink cartridge It has a 200 Type C plate described above (Step S112).

In the event that both signals detect the CS1 and CS2 cartridge are High signals (Step S102: NO and Step S104: NO), the M50 cartridge determination module decides that there is no no cartridge attached to the selected insertion site (Stage S114). In this way, the M50 cartridge determination module determine if an ink cartridge 100 is attached, and if so, what type is it, for each of the four sites of insert.

Detection procedure of the remaining ink level

The ink level detection procedure remaining executed by the module for determining the level of M60 remaining ink of main control circuit 40 se will describe in relation to Fig. 11 and Figs. 12A-C. Fig. 11 shows a flow chart that describes the processing routine of the detection procedure of remaining ink level. Figs. 12A-C show time tables describing temporary changes in the signal that Allows detection of short circuits and sensor voltage during the execution of the ink level detection process remaining

The ink level determination module M60 remaining of the main control circuit 40, in the case of the level of ink remaining in the ink cartridge is detected 100 coupled to any of the support sites of support 4, First set to high the signal EN that allows the detection of short circuits for all the detection circuits of the 502 cartridge / short circuit detection (Step S202). How result, the short circuit detection function is activated in All cartridge detection / detection circuits 502 short circuits and if voltage higher than the voltage of reference V_ref1 (6.5 V) to terminal 520 and terminal 540 before mentioned, they can emit High signals as the signals of short circuit detection AB1, AB2. In other words, a state in which the EN signal that allows the detection of short circuits are high signals is a state in which the short circuit of terminal 510 or terminal 540 with the terminal 550 or terminal 590.

Then, the module for determining the level of M60 remaining ink instructs the sensor driver circuit 503 to emit drive voltage from terminal 550 or terminal 590 towards sensor 104, and detecting the remaining ink level (Stage S204). More specifically described, when the drive circuit of the sensor 503 receives an instructional signal from the module determination of the remaining ink level M60, the drive circuit of sensor 503 emits a drive voltage from terminal 550 or the terminal 590, the voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element that constitutes the sensor 104 of the ink cartridge 100, charges the piezoelectric element causing it to be distorted by the inverse piezoelectric effect. Subsequently, the circuit sensor impeller 503 drops the applied voltage, before which the accumulated charge in the piezoelectric element is discharged, causing the piezoelectric element to vibrate. In Fig. 12, the drive voltage is the voltage shown during the interval of time T1. As described in Fig. 12, the driving voltage fluctuates between the reference voltage and the maximum voltage Vs of so that it describes a trapezoidal shape. The maximum voltage Vs is fixed at a relatively high voltage (for example, approximately (36 V). Through terminal 550 of terminal 590, the circuit Sensor impeller 503 detects the voltage produced by the effect piezo as a result of element vibration piezoelectric (in Fig. 12 described as the voltage during the time interval T2), and by measuring the frequency of Vibration detects the remaining ink level. Specifically, this vibration frequency represents the characteristic frequency of the surrounding structures (the box 101 and the ink) that vibrates along with the piezoelectric element, and changes depending on the amount of ink remaining within the 100 ink cartridge, so that the remaining ink level can Detected by measuring this vibration frequency. He sensor drive circuit 503 emits the detected result to the module for determining the remaining ink level M60 of the circuit Main control 40.

When the module for determining the level of M60 remaining ink receives the detected circuit result sensor impeller 503, the module for determining the level of M60 remaining ink converts the EN signal that allows detection short circuit, which speaks has been set to a signal High in the Stage S202, again at a Low signal (Stage S206), and ends the process. In this procedure, the interval in which the remaining ink level is detected is a state in which the signal IN which allows the detection of short circuits is fixed in a signal high to allow short circuit detection. In others words, the remaining ink level is detected at the same time as monitors the appearance of short circuits through the circuit cartridge detection / short circuit detection 502.

Procedure when a short circuit is detected

The procedure that leads to carried out in the event that, during the execution of the detection of the remaining ink level (Step S204), the module for determining the M60 remaining ink level receives a High signal as the signal of short circuit detection AB1 or AB2, for example, short circuits. In Fig. 11, a flow chart of the interruption of the process routine when a short circuit. When terminal 510 or terminal 540 do short circuit with the terminal that emits the driving voltage of the sensor terminals 550 and 590, the sensor driving voltage Applies to terminal 510 or terminal 540 in short circuit. Then, given that the EN signal that allows the detection of shorts are set to High, at the time the sensor drive voltage goes above the voltage of short circuit detection V_ref1 (6.5 V), a High signal is emitted such as short circuit detection signals AB1, AB2 from the 502 cartridge detection / short circuit detection circuit. When the M60 remaining ink level determination module receive any of these short circuit detection signals AB1, AB2, the M60 remaining ink level determination module suspend detection of the remaining ink level, and run the interruption process when a short circuit is detected.

When the interruption process starts, the M60 remaining ink level determination module immediately orders the sensor driver circuit 503 to suspend the emission of the sensor driving voltage (Stage S208).

Then, the module for determining the level of M60 remaining ink, without completing the level detection process of remaining ink, converts the EN signal that allows the detection of back short circuits in a Low signal (Step S206) to Finish the procedure. For example, the control circuit main 40 can take some action, such as notifying the user of the short circuit

Fig. 12A describes the change of the EN signal which allows the detection of short circuits over time. The Fig. 12B describes the sensor voltage in the event that neither the terminal 510 or terminal 540 short circuit with terminal which emits the sensor driving voltage of terminals 550 and 590, so that the ink level detection procedure Remaining runs normally. Fig. 12C describes the voltage of the sensor in case terminal 510 or terminal 540 do short circuit with the terminal which, of terminals 550 and 590, emits the sensor driving voltage.

As described in Fig. 12A, during execution of the remaining ink detection procedure, the EN signal that allows the detection of short circuits is a signal High. As shown in Fig. 12B, in the normal state (without short circuits), after the high voltage Vs has been applied to sensor 104, the applied voltage drops, and subsequently occurs the voltage of the vibration through the piezoelectric effect. In one embodiment, Vs is set to 36 V.

As described in Fig. 12C, on the other side, in the abnormal state (short-circuited), the voltage of the sensor drops the moment it passes over the voltage of short circuit detection V_ref1 (6.5 V). This is because, in the moment the sensor voltage goes above the voltage short circuit detection (V_ref1 (6.5 V) a signal is emitted High as the short circuit detection signal AB1 or AB2 from Cartridge detection circuit / short circuit detection 502 towards the module for determining the remaining ink level M60, and the module for determining the remaining ink level M60 at receiving this signal immediately drops the drive voltage of the sensor.

Fig. 13 shows an illustration of a short circuit situation. Here, the likely situation that the terminals 550 and 590 that emit the sensor driving voltage short circuit with other terminals is for example the case described in Fig. 13, in which a drop of ink S1 or a drop of water S2 formed by condensation with electrical conductivity in plate 200 of ink cartridge 100, bridging the space between the first drive terminal 250 or the second drive terminal 290 and another terminal or terminals of the plate 200, producing a short circuit. For example, a drop of ink S1 that has adhered to the surface of the carriage 3 or the needle ink supply 6 is dispersed and adhered as it is shown in Fig. 13 by the movement of coupling or uncoupling the 100 ink cartridge. In this case, when the ink cartridge 100 is coupled, terminal 550 that emits the driving voltage of the sensor, for example, short circuits with another terminal 510, 520, or 560 of the carriage circuit 500 by the first drive terminal 250 and the terminals (Fig. 13: terminals 210, 22, 260) joined by ink drop S1 to drive terminal 250. Or, for example, the terminal 590 that emits the sensor driving voltage will make short circuit with another terminal 540 of the carriage circuit 500 a through the second drive terminal 290 and the second terminal of short circuit detection 240 (Fig. 13) connected by the drop of water S2 to the second drive terminal 290. This short circuit is caused by several factors as well as by the adhesion of the ink drop For example, the short circuit may be caused. because an object may have been trapped with electrical conductivity, for example a paper clip in the car 3. The short circuit can also be caused by adhesion to material terminals with electrical conductivity, by example, user skin oil.

As mentioned above in relation with Fig. 3, the ink cartridge 100 of the embodiment, the first sensor terminal 250 and the second terminal sensor impeller 290 that apply the impeller voltage to the sensor are arranged at the two ends of the terminal group, so that the number of adjacent terminals is small. How result, the probability that the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and the second drive terminal of sensor 290 make Short circuit with other terminals is low.

On plate 200, if the first drive terminal of sensor 250 shorted the first terminal of short circuit detection 210, the short circuit will be detected at through the cartridge detection / detection circuit 502 shorts mentioned above. For example, the short circuit of the first sensor terminal 250 with another terminal caused by a drop of ink S1 that filters from the side of the first sensor terminal 250 will be detected as immediately and the emission of the driving voltage of the sensor, avoiding or reducing damage to memory circuits 203 and of the printing apparatus 1000 (the control circuit of the 501 memory and cartridge detection / detection circuit short circuits 502) caused by the short circuit.

In addition, the first detection terminal of short circuits 210 is adjacent to the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and is the closest to the first terminal sensor impeller 250. Accordingly, in the event that the first sensor drive terminal 250 short circuit with another terminal or terminals due to the ink drop S1 or the drop of S2 water, there are high chances that the first terminal sensor impeller 250 short-circuits with the first short circuit detection terminal 210 as well. In consequently, the short circuit of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 with another terminal can be detected with greater security.

In addition to detecting short circuits, the first short circuit detection terminal 210 is also used by the 502 cartridge detection / short circuit detection circuit to determine if the ink cartridge 100 is coupled, as well as also to determine the type of ink cartridge 100 attached. As a result, a low number of terminals can be maintained in the plate 200, and reduction in the stages of 200 plate manufacturing and the number of parts for the plate 200.

Similarly, if the second terminal sensor impeller 290 shorted with the second short circuit detection terminal 240, the short circuit is will detect through the cartridge detection / detection circuit of short circuits 502. Consequently, the short circuit of the second sensor terminal 290 with another terminal caused by the ink droplet S1 that filters from the side of the second terminal Sensor impeller 290 can be detected immediately. How As a result, damage to the circuits of the circuit can be avoided or reduced. memory 203 and of the printing apparatus 1000 caused by the short circuit. Similarly, the second detection terminal of short circuits 240 is the terminal that is closest to the second sensor drive terminal 290. Consequently, in the case that the second sensor drive terminal 290 does Short circuit with another terminal or terminals due to the drop of ink S1 or water drop S2, there are high chances that the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 is shorted with the second short circuit detection terminal 240 as well. Consequently, the short circuit of the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 with another terminal can be detected with greater security.

The first sensor terminal 250 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 on the one hand, and the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 and the second terminal of 240 short circuit detection on the other, they are located in the ends of the terminal group so that the others terminals (220, 230, 260-270) are between they. Consequently, if a foreign substance (the ink drop S1, water drop S2, etc.) seeps from either side indicated by the arrows of Fig. 13, this filtration can detected before it leaks to the other terminals (220, 230, 260-270). Consequently, it can be avoided or reduce damage to the circuits of memory 203 and the device 1000 printing due to the filtration of foreign substances.

The first sensor terminal 250 and the second sensor drive terminal 290 are arranged in the row in the side of the insertion direction R (bottom row). How result, since terminals 250, 290 to which they are applied The driving voltage of the sensor that includes high voltage is located at the back in the direction of insertion, there are minors chances of some ink drop or foreign element (for example, a paper clip) is filtered on the sites of these terminals 250, 290. As a result, the damage to the circuits of memory 203 and the printing apparatus 1000 caused by the filtration of a foreign element.

The terminal group of the plate 200 is arranged in a pattern alternately. As a result, the unwanted contact of the ink cartridge terminals 100 with the terminals of the 1000 printing apparatus (the members that make contact 403, 404 mentioned above) during the operation of coupling

B. Variants

The variants of the plate 200 coupled to the ink cartridge 100 are described in relation to Figs. 14A-16B. Figs. 14A-D show first diagrams describing plates related to variants. The Figs. 15A-C show second diagrams that describe plates relating to variants. Figs. 16A-B show third diagrams describing plates related to variants.

Variant one

In the plate 200b described in Fig. 14A, the first short circuit detection terminal 210 is similar to first short circuit detection terminal 210 of plate 200 of the embodiment, but it has in its lower part a portion extended reaching up to near the bottom edge of the row lower. The extended portion is located between the first terminal sensor impeller 250 and reset terminal 260 of row lower. As a result, for example, even in the case of adhesion of a drop of ink S3 as described in Fig. 14 (a), the short of the extended portion will be detected of the short circuit detection terminal 210 with the first sensor terminal 250. Similarly, when the first sensor terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short circuit detection terminal 210 enter short circuit, there are many chances that the first sensor terminal 250 and the sensor terminal 210 short circuits are shorted and the voltage is suspended sensor impeller Therefore, they can be avoided or reduced the problems caused by short circuit of the first terminal sensor impeller 250 with another terminal (in the example of Fig. 14A, reset terminal 260).

As shown in Fig. 14A, the second short circuit detection terminal 240 on board 200b It is also similar in form to the first detection terminal of 210 short circuits mentioned above, and the second short circuit sensor terminal 290 with another terminal also will detect more safely.

Variant 2

The plate 200c described in Fig. 14B, in addition to The arrangement of the plate 200b described above also has a extended portion located at the top of the first terminal sensor impeller 250, and reaching up to near the edge Top of the top row. As a result, even in case of adhesion of a drop of ink S4, as described in Fig. 14 (b), the short circuit of the detection terminal of 210 short circuits with the extended portion of the first terminal sensor impeller 250. Similarly, when the first terminal sensor impeller 250 and another terminal other than the first short circuit detection terminal 210 enter short circuit, there are many chances that the first sensor terminal 250 and the first detection terminal short circuit 210 are shorted and the sensor drive voltage. Therefore, they can be avoided or reduce the problems caused by the first short circuit sensor terminal 250 with another terminal.

As shown in Fig. 14B, the second 200c plate 290 sensor drive terminal is also similar in form to the first sensor terminal 250 before mentioned, and a leak of a ink drop from the end, at whose end it is located the second drive terminal of the sensor 290.

Variant 3

The plate 200d described in Fig. 14C differs from plate 200 of the embodiment in which there is no second terminal of short circuit detection 240. In the case of plate 200 Type A described in Fig. 10A, the second detection terminal of 240 short circuits does not perform contact detection by middle of the cartridge detection / detection circuit 502 short circuits (since there are no short circuits with the terminal ground 220). Consequently, in the case of plate 200 Type A, the second short circuit detection terminal 240 is used only for short circuit detection and therefore it can be do without it. In this case too, since the first terminal short circuit detection 210 is the closest of the first sensor terminal 250, when the first sensor terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short circuit detection terminal 210 goes into short circuit, there are many possibilities that the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 They are shorted and the sensor drive voltage is suspended. Filtration of a drop of ink to the second drive terminal of the Sensor 290 is also detected to some extent. In Fig. 14C, the CP symbol represents the contact site with the member that makes contact 403 that would make contact with the second terminal of short circuit detection 240 if the second detection terminal of short circuits 240 were present (i.e. the member that makes contact 403 corresponding to terminal 540 of the circuit 500 car). Even in the case that the second terminal of short circuit detection 240 is absent, if a short circuit between the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 and the contacting member 403 corresponding to terminal 540 of the carriage circuit 500 due to a drop of ink S5, the S5 ink drop filtration. Similarly, in the case of a plate 200 Type C, the first terminal of short circuit detection 210.

Variant 4

In the plate 200e described in Fig. 14D, the first sensor terminal 250 and the first terminal short circuit detection 210 have an elongated shape that reaches from near the upper edge of the upper row up to the bottom edge of the bottom row. The terminals with this shape, as indicated by the sites of contact by means of the CP symbol in Fig. 14D, you can make contact with the member making contact 403 corresponding located in a pattern alternately. In the case of the plate 200e, like the plate 200c described above, even if will deposit a drop of ink S6, for example, the short circuit between the extended portions of the first terminal of short circuit detection 210 and the first drive terminal of the sensor 250. Similarly, the first detection terminal of short circuits 210 is located between the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and a terminal other than the first detection terminal of short circuits 210. Therefore, when the first terminal sensor impeller 250 and a terminal other than the first terminal of short circuit detection 210 short-circuit, there are many possibilities that the first sensor drive terminal 250 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 are in short circuit and the sensor driving voltage is suspended.

The second drive terminal of the sensor 290 and the second short circuit detection terminal 240 of the board 200e have a shape similar to that of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 described above. Therefore, when the second terminal sensor impeller 290 and a terminal other than the second short circuit detection terminal 240 short circuit, there are many possibilities that the second drive terminal of sensor 290 and the second short circuit detection terminal 240 are shorted. As a result, the possibilities of avoiding or reducing the problems caused by short circuits of sensor terminal 250, 2900 with other terminal.

Variant 5

In the plate 200f described in Fig. 15A, the terminal corresponding to the first detection terminal of shorts 210 and ground terminal 220 of plate 200 relative to the embodiment is an integral terminal 215 in which these two terminals are integrally formed as a single member. This plate 200f can be used instead of plate 200 Type A or Type B (Fig. 10), whose first detection terminal of short circuit 210 and ground terminal are shorted. With 200f plate, the need for a line between the first one is obvious short circuit detection terminal 210 and ground terminal 220, which was needed in the case of plate 200 relating to the embodiment, so that the plate 200 requires fewer stages of Processing and less parts.

Variant 6

On plate 200g described in Fig. 15B, each one of terminals 210-240 of the top row It has a similar shape to the first detection terminal of short circuit 210 of the plate 200b described above. Specifically, each of terminals 210-240 has a portion extended located on the bottom edge of the corresponding terminal of the plate 200 relative to the embodiment and reaching up to about from the bottom edge of the bottom row. The terminals 250-290 of the bottom row have a similar shape to the first sensor terminal 250 of the plate 200c before described. Specifically, each of the terminals 250-290 has an extended portion located in the upper edge of the corresponding terminal of the relative plate 200 to the realization and that reaches up to near the upper edge of the top row

As a result, the terminals 210-290 of the 200g plate are arranged so that they form a terminal group consisting of a single row of terminals generally shaped rowing located opposite each other Yes, instead of being arranged in two rows. The first terminal sensor impeller 250 and the second sensor impeller terminal 290 to which the high driving voltage of the sensor is applied are located at the two ends of the single row of the terminal group, and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 and the second short circuit detection terminal 240 are located respectively arranged adjacently into the first sensor terminal 250 and the second terminal sensor impeller 290.

With 200g plate, a drop of ink or matter strange that leaks from either end can be detected  immediately at the moment the short circuit occurs between the first sensor terminal 250 and the first terminal short circuit detection 210 or between the second drive terminal of sensor 290 and the second short circuit detection terminal 240. In the event that the first sensor terminal 250 or the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 is shorted with another terminal, when the short circuit is due to a drop of ink or similar, is highly likely to occur at the same time a short circuit between the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and the short circuit detection terminal 210, or between the second sensor terminal 290 and the second detection terminal of short circuits 240. Consequently, the short circuits of the first drive terminal of sensor 250 or second terminal Sensor impeller 290 with another terminal can be detected with greater security. As a result, you can avoid or minimize the damage to the circuits of memory 203 and the printing apparatus 1000 (501 memory control circuit and detection circuit of the cartridge / short circuit detection 502) caused by short circuits

Variant 7

In the plate 200h described in Fig. 15C, the 210-290 terminals have an elongated shape that extend in the section equivalent to two rows of plate 200 relative to the embodiment, in a manner similar to the first terminal sensor impeller 250 and the first detection terminal of shorts of plate 200e described above. The terminals with this way, whose contact sites are indicated by the symbol CP in Fig. 15C, can make contact with the members who make contact 403 arranged in a pattern alternately.

In the 200h plate, the terminals 210-290 are arranged so that they form a single row in the orthogonal direction to the insertion direction R, in a manner similar to that of the 200g plate described above. Also, at Like the 200g plate, the first sensor terminal 250 and the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 to which applied the high voltage impeller sensor are located in both ends of the single row of the terminal group, and the first terminal of short circuit detection 210 and the second terminal of short circuit detection 240 are found respectively arranged adjacently inside the first terminal sensor impeller 250 and the second sensor impeller terminal 290. As a result, the 200h plate has similar advantages to those of the 200g plate described above.

Variant 8

The first detection terminal of short circuits 210 of the plate 200i described in Fig. 16A has a shape that is longer on the left side in the drawing, in comparison with the first short circuit detection terminal 210 of the plate 200 relative to the embodiment. Also, the first short circuit detection terminal 210 of plate 200i has an extended portion that reaches from the edge portion left to near the bottom edge of the bottom row. The extended portion is located to the left of the first sensor drive terminal 250 in the bottom row. In others words, the extended portion is located more displaced from the middle of the terminal group in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction R that the first terminal sensor impeller 250. In this case, if from the point of view of the terminal in its entirety, the first detection terminal short circuit 210 is located outside (on the left side) of the first sensor terminal 250, when viewed from the point  view of the contact portions CP of the terminal, of the CT contact portions of all terminals 210-290, the CP contact portion of the first sensor terminal 250 is the one located in the outermost position (left side), in the same way as in the realization. In addition, the short circuit between the first is detected sensor terminal 250 and the first detection terminal short circuit 210 which includes the contact portion CP adjacent to the contact portion CP of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250. Accordingly, the plate 200i relative to this variant has advantages similar to those of plate 200 relative to the realization. Specifically, you can immediately detect the filtration of a drop of ink from the edge, and can be avoided or minimize damage to memory 203 and device circuits print 1000. Also, since the first terminal of short circuit detection 210 has the extended portion, the length of the first portion which is a portion adjacent to the edge circumferential of the first short circuit detection terminal 210 between the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 becomes long. As described in Fig. 16B, the length of the first portion is longer than that of a second portion that is the portion adjacent to the circumferential edge of the terminal of reset 260 between the circumferential edge of the first terminal sensor impeller 250. As a result, when the first terminal sensor impeller 250 and another terminal other than the terminal of short circuit detection 210, for example the terminal of restart 260, short circuit, there are many possibilities that the first sensor terminal 250 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 are shorted. Therefore, the sensor driving voltage is suspended and avoid or reduce problems most likely by short circuits of the first sensor terminal 250 with Other terminal

The first detection terminal of Shorts 210 of the plate 200p of Fig. 16C has a portion extended longer than the first detection terminal of 210 shorts of plate 200i. As shown in Fig. 16C the extended portion of the first detection terminal of Shorts 210 of the plate 200p extends from the part upper left to the lower right of the first sensor drive terminal 250 along the edge circumferential of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250. As result, the length of the first portion on the plate 200p is longer than in the 200i plate. Therefore, when the first sensor terminal 250 and another terminal other than the first short circuit detection terminal 210 enters short circuit, the driving voltage of the sensor is suspended and problems can be avoided or reduced caused by short circuits of the first drive terminal of the 250 sensor with another terminal.

The first detection terminal of Shorts 210 of the plate 200q of Fig. 16D has the portion extended longer than the short circuit detection terminal 210 of the 200i and 200p plate. As shown in Fig. 16D, the extended portion of the first short circuit detection terminal 210 of plate 200q extends from the upper left to the upper right of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 along the circumferential edge of the first terminal sensor impeller 250. In other words, the first terminal of short circuit detection 210 is formed so that it surrounds the first sensor terminal 250 completely. How result, the length of the first portion of the plate 200q is more long than on the 200i and 200p plate. Therefore, when the first sensor terminal 250 and another terminal other than the first short circuit detection terminal 210 enters Short circuit, there are more chances that the driving voltage of the sensor is suspended and problems can be avoided or reduced caused by short circuits between the first drive terminal of the 250 sensor and other terminal.

As shown in Figs. 16A-C, plate 200i, 200p, 200q have added the direction in which the portion of the first detection terminal of short circuits 210 is located adjacent to a portion of the first sensor drive terminal 250 providing the portion extended from the first short circuit detection terminal 210. With respect to the plate 200i, the extended portion of the first short circuit detection terminal 210 located in shape adjacent to the left edge of the first sensor drive terminal  250 in a lateral direction towards an edge of the ink cartridge 100, and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 itself It is located adjacent to the top edge of the first terminal sensor impeller 250 in the opposite direction to the direction of insert R. For its part, in relation to the 200p plate, in addition to the two addresses mentioned above, the extended portion of the first short circuit detection terminal 210 is located in adjacent to the bottom edge of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 in the insertion direction R. Also, with respect to plate 200q, the extended portion of the first detection terminal  short circuit 210 is located adjacent to the right edge of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 in the lateral direction moving away from the edge of the ink cartridge 100. In other words, with respect to the plate 200q, at least a portion of the first short circuit detection terminal 210 is located in shape adjacent to the first sensor terminal 250 in all addresses.

When the first sensor drive terminal 250 and another terminal other than the first detection terminal of 210 short circuits are shorted due to a drop of ink and other object that leaks from the direction in which the portion of the first short circuit detection terminal 210 is is located adjacent to the first portion sensor terminal 250, there are much more probabilities high that the first sensor terminal 250 and the first short circuit detection terminal 210 are shorted. Consequently, the problems caused by short circuits between the first sensor terminal 250 and another terminal due to a drop of ink or other object that leaks from that direction they can be avoided or reduced much more likely. In the present variants, the extended portion of the first terminal of short circuit detection 210 adds the direction in which the first short circuit detection terminal 210 and the first sensor drive terminal 250 are located adjacently between yes, and the problems caused by short circuits of the first sensor terminal 250 with another terminal much more likely.

On plates 200i, 200p, 200q related to this variant, only the first short circuit detection terminal 210 on the left side has a structure with the portion extended described above, but it would be possible to provide the second short circuit detection terminal 240 on the side right a structure with an extended portion, in addition to the first short circuit detection terminal 210 or instead of the first short circuit detection terminal 210. In this case too, There are advantages similar to those of the plates 200i, 200p, 200q relative to this variant.

Variant 9

The plate 200j described in Fig. 16B, like that the plate 200f described above in Variant 5, has a integral terminal 215 in which the first detection terminal of 210 short circuits and ground terminal 220 on plate 200 relative to the realization are fully formed as a single member. The integral terminal 215 of the plate 200j differs in the shape of terminal 215 of the plate 200f described above. Specifically, integral terminal 215 of plate 200j, like that the first short circuit detection terminal 210 of the plate 200i described in Variant 8, has an elongated shape in the left side and has an extended portion that reaches from the left edge near the bottom edge of the row lower. In this case, advantages similar to those of the plate 200i relative to Variant 8, while reducing the number of production stages and parts necessary for the license plate.

In the embodiment and variants before described, all terminals are located on plate 200, but not it is necessary that all terminals are located on the board 200. For example, it would be acceptable for some of the terminals to be locate in box 101 of ink cartridge 100. By examples specific, next, Variant 10 and Variant 11 in relation to Figs. 17A-18D. The Figs. 17A-D show diagrams describing the structure around the ink cartridge plates relative to the variants. Figs. 18A-D show cross sections A-A to D-D in the Fig. 17.

Variant 10

The 200k plate described in Fig. 17A, has seven terminals 210-240 and 260-280, of the nine terminals 210-290 that the board has 200 of the realization. Of the nine terminals 210-290 which has the plate 200 of the embodiment, the 200k plate does not have the first sensor terminal 250 or the second drive terminal of the sensor 290. The relative plate 200k This variant has NT1 or NT2 notches located in areas that include the sites where the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and the second drive terminal of sensor 290 were arranged on the plate 200 relative to the embodiment. Notches they can have the shape indicated with solid NT1 lines, or the shape indicated with the dotted lines NT2, in Fig. 17A. The terminals 150 and 190 that have a function similar to that of the first sensor drive terminal 250 and the second drive terminal of the sensor 290 of the plate 200 in the embodiment are arranged in the box 101 located on the back of the 200k plate. Naturally, With the ink cartridge 100 coupled to the holder 4, these terminals 150 and 190 are located in places where they make contact with the terminals arranged on the side of the device 450 and 490 corresponding.

The cross section A-A shown in Fig. 17A is described in Fig. 18A. As it shown in Fig. 18A, a sunken portion DE, formed by a gap between the NT1 notch of the 200k plate and terminal 150, it located between terminal 150 and adjacent terminals 260, 210 (Fig. 18A shows reset terminal 260). Although omitted from the drawing, a similar sunken portion of DE is located between the terminal 190 and adjacent terminals 280, 240.

According to this variant, the following advantages in addition to those analogous to plate 200 concerning the realization. If a drop of ink leaks or foreign matter from the end of the ink cartridge 100 of this variant, will be trapped in the sunken portion DE arranged around terminal 150 or terminal 190, whereby they can terminal 150 short circuits are avoided or minimized further or terminal 190 with another terminal due to a leak of a drop of ink or foreign matter.

Variant eleven

The 200m plate described in Fig. 17B, instead having the notches NT1 or NT2 of Variant 10, it has holes that cross it HL located in the sites where the first sensor drive terminal 250 and the second drive terminal of the Sensor 290 are located on plate 200 of the embodiment. He B-B cross section shown in Fig. 17B is described in Fig. 18B. Other provisions of the cartridge Ink 100 of Variant 11 are the same as for the cartridge 100 ink of Variant 10. In this variant too, they are located sunken portions between terminals 150, 190 and terminals adjacent. Therefore the ink cartridge 100 of this variant has advantages similar to those of the 100 ink cartridge of Variant 10

Variant 12

On the plates of the embodiment and their variants, all terminals are connected to one of the memory 203 and sensor 104. However, the board may include terminals Fake that are not connected to any device. An example of this type of plate will be described as Variant 12 in relation to Figs. 19A-D. Figs. 19A-D show four diagrams describing plates related to variants.

Plate 200r includes the upper row formed by four terminals and the bottom row formed by five terminals, like the plate 200 of the embodiment. The arrangement and function of terminals 210-290 that they form the upper row and the lower row of the plate 200r are the same as those of the terminals of the plate 200 of the embodiment, so that a detailed description is omitted.

The plate 200r shown in Fig. 19A, it has false DT terminals between the upper row and the lower row  and below the bottom row (the direction side of insertion). DT fake terminals, for example, are manufactured from same material as the other terminals 210-290. The Fig. 19C shows an E-E cross section that includes fake DT terminals. DT fake terminals have approximately the same thickness as the other terminals 210-290.

DT fake terminals are used to scrape foreign objects attached to members who make contact 403, for example dust, when the ink cartridge is attached or removed 100. This allows to prevent foreign objects from reaching the terminal that will make contact with the member who makes contact 403 (for example, the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 in Fig. 19C) when the ink cartridge 100 is attached or removed, and to prevent contact between the terminal and the contacting member fails 403

The plate 200r shown in Fig. 19A has the false terminal DT between the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and short circuit detection terminal 210, so it cannot be said that the first sensor terminal 250 it is located adjacent to the first detection terminal of 210 short circuits. However, fake DT terminals are not connected to memory 203 or the terminals arranged on the side of the device 510-590 in the print section 1000. Therefore, the short circuit between the first drive terminal of sensor 250 and fake DT terminals never cause a problem any. Accordingly, the plate 200r has effects of operation analogous to plate 200 of the embodiment. That is to say, with respect to the plate 200r, even if the first terminal sensor impeller 250 is not located adjacent to the first short circuit detection terminal 210 in one direction precise, at least a portion of the first detection terminal of 210 short circuits are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the first sensor terminal 250, without a terminal connected to memory 203 (terminal 220, 230, 260-280) between them in at least one direction, for the detection of short circuits between the first terminal sensor impeller 250 and the first detection terminal of short circuits 210. In this case, the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 is located substantially adjacent to the first short circuit detection terminal 210. In consequence, in case the first sensor drive terminal 250 short-circuit with another terminal or terminals due to a drop of ink or a drop of water, there are many possibilities that the first sensor terminal 250 enters short circuit with short circuit detection terminal 210 too. As a consequence, the sensor output voltage output it is suspended and damage to the circuits of the memory 203 and of the printing apparatus 1000 caused by short circuits

Variant 13

The plates of the embodiment and their variants, as shown in Fig. 2, they are described as coupled plates  to an ink cartridge 100 that is used in type printers "car mounted" (defined as "car mounted" to those printers whose ink cartridge is mounted on the car). However, the plates of the embodiment and their variants can be attached to an ink cartridge that is used in "disassembled car" type printers (defined as of "car removed" to those printers whose ink cartridge it is not mounted on the car). The ink cartridge used in "disassembled car" type printers will be described to in relation to Fig. 20 and Fig. 21. Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of the cartridge structure of variant 13 ink. Fig. 21 shows a drawing of the cartridge of ink of the variant 13 being coupled to the printer.

The ink cartridge 100b of Variant 13 is configure for installation in a "car type printer disassembled ", that is, one in which the ink cartridge is not install in a car. The cart type printers disassembled "are usually large-scale printers; Ink cartridges used in such large-scale printers are normally larger than the ink cartridges used in "car mounted" type printers.

100b ink cartridges comprise a box 1001, a plate insertion portion 1050, a hole of 1020 ink feed to supply ink from box 1001 to the printer; an air supply hole 1030 that allows air to enter the ink cartridge 100b to allow a smooth flow of ink; and guide portions 1040 for the Installation in the printer. The outer dimensions of the cartridge of ink 100b are such that the side thereof (ie the depth) that extends perpendicular to the side on which they form the guide portions 1040, etc. (i.e. width) is more Long than the width. The relationship between the dimensions of depth with the width of the plate 200, expressed as a The ratio between the two is 15: 1 or greater, for example.

As in the case of the realization before mentioned, the plate 200 is located by a reinforcing hole 202 and a reinforcing groove 201, and are secured to the portion of insert plate 1050 of ink cartridge 100b.

As shown in Fig. 21, when installing 100b ink cartridge in the printer, guide portions 1040 of the ink cartridge 100b guide the guide pins 2040 in the printer so that the plate embedding portion 1050, the 1020 ink feed hole, and the hole of 1030 air supply are properly located connected / coupled with a 2050 contact pin, a hole 2020 ink feed, and a feed hole of 2030 air in the printer. The cartridge insertion direction of ink 100b is indicated by an arrow R in Fig. 21. The direction of insert R of the plate 200 in this variant is the same as the of the aforementioned embodiment.

The 100b ink cartridge used for printers type "car dismounted" of this variant can prevent or reduce the problems caused by short circuits of the first sensor terminal 250 with another terminal as in the case of the embodiment and variants described above.

Variant 14

The ink cartridge settings for a "car mounted" type printer shown in Fig. 2 is an example among many. The ink cartridge settings for a "car mounted" type printer not found limited to this. Other ink cartridge settings for "car mounted" type printers described in the Variant 14 in relation to Figs. 22-24. Fig. 22 shows a first diagram of the cartridge structure of Ink of Variant 14. Fig. 23 shows a second diagram of the ink cartridge structure of Variant 14. Fig. 24 shows a third diagram of the ink cartridge structure of Variant 14.

As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the 100b ink cartridge of Variant 14 includes a box 101b, a plate 200 and a sensor 104b. On the face under box 101b, at Like the ink cartridge 100 of the embodiment, a ink supply hole 110b into which the needle is inserted ink supply when ink cartridge 100b is attached to support 4b. The plate 200 is placed on the lower side (on the positive direction of the Z axis) of the front face (in the direction positive of the Y axis) of the box 101 as in the cartridge 100 ink of the embodiment. The configuration of plate 200 is identical to that of the plate 200 of the embodiment. The sensor 104b is found embedded in a side wall of the box 101b and used to detect the remaining ink level. The hook 120b that is assembles with the hitch part of bracket 4b when the cartridge of ink 100b is placed in the holder 4b is coupled on the side upper of the front face of the box 101b. The hook 120b fixes the 100b ink cartridge to holder 4b. The insertion address R when the ink cartridge 100b attaches to the support 4b corresponds to the direction of arrow R of Fig. 22 (positive direction of Z axis) as in the ink cartridge 100 of the realization.

Box 101b has mechanisms to prevent PO1-PO4 displacement in the lateral portion (in direction of the X axis) of the box 101b near the plate 200. The PO1-PO4 displacement prevention mechanisms come in contact with or are near the corresponding portion from the side wall of the holder 4b when the ink cartridge 100 it attaches to support 4b. This prevents the ink cartridge 100b from getting move in the direction of the X axis from its ideal position on the support 4b Specifically, displacement prevention mechanisms PO1 and P02 are located on the upper side of the plate 200 and prevent the top side of 100b swings in the direction of the X axis taking the ink supply hole 110b as a rotation axis. The PO3 and PO4 displacement prevention mechanisms are located next to terminals 210-290 on the board 200 (Fig. 3) and hold terminals 210-290 in the correct position so that they make contact with the terminals arranged on the side of the device 410-490 correctly.

The electrical arrangements of the cartridge Ink 100b of Variant 14 are identical to those of cartridge 100 of the embodiment described above in relation to Fig. 7. Therefore, the respective description is omitted.

The ink cartridge 100b of Variant 14 It has the following operating effects in addition to them operating effects that the ink cartridge 100 of the realization. Since the ink cartridge 100b has the PO1-PO4 displacement prevention mechanisms, can avoid or reduce the position offset when the ink cartridge 100b is coupled to support 4b. Especially, since the mechanisms of prevention of displacement PO3 and PO4 are next to terminals 210-290 of the plate 200, accuracy in the location of the terminals 210-290 in relation to the terminals arranged on the side of the corresponding apparatus. Also, as the terminal is described in relation to Fig. 3, on plate 200 sensor impeller 250 and the second sensor impeller terminal 290 are arranged at each end of the terminals 210-290, that is, the sensor drive terminal 250 and the second drive terminal of sensor 290 are the most nearby are the mechanisms of prevention of PO3 and PO4 offset respectively. This leads to improved precision in the location of the sensor terminal 250 and the second sensor drive terminal 290. Therefore, it can be avoid or reduce false contact between terminals 250, 290 a those that apply high voltage and one of the terminals arranged on the side of the device that does not apply.

As a substitute for plate 200 of the embodiment, one of the plates 200b-200s that shown in Figs. 14-19 can be attached to ink cartridge 100b shown in Fig. 22-24.

Other Variants

As shown in Figs. 17C-D and in Figs. 18C-D, be they can place porous elements PO inside the portions sunk DE of Variant 10 and Variant 11 described above, is say, between terminals 150-190 and the board. To the Do this, the drops of ink or condensed water, which can cause easily short circuits of terminals 150-190 with other terminals, they can be effectively absorbed by porous elements PO. Therefore, this design also has similar advantages to those of Variant 10 and Alternative 11 before discussed.

In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 100 It has a sensor 104 (piezoelectric element) and a memory 203 as the plurality of devices; however, the plurality of devices is not limited to a sensor 104 and a memory 203. By For example, sensor 104 may be a sensor of a type that detects properties or ink level by applying voltage to the ink inside the ink cartridge 100, and measuring its resistance. In the embodiment, among the plurality of devices, sensor 104 is coupled in box 101 and memory 203 is coupled on plate 200. However, the provisions of the plurality of devices are not limited to those of the embodiment. For example, the memory 203 and plate 200 may be separated, and memory 203 and the plate 200 may be installed in the box 101 in shape individual. The plurality of devices may be integrated in a circuit board or a single module. The circuit board or the single module can be placed in box 101 or on the board 200. It is preferred that the terminals connected to a device with relatively high voltage between the plurality of devices are arranged in the positions of the first drive terminal of the sensor 250 and the second drive terminal of sensor 290, and the terminals connected to a device with relatively voltage low between the plurality of devices are arranged in the positions of terminals 220, 230, 260-280. In In this case, damage to the cartridge can be avoided or reduced. 100 ink and 1000 printing apparatus caused by short circuits between the terminal connected to the device with relatively high voltage and the terminal connected to the device with relatively low voltage.

In the aforementioned embodiment, they are used Five terminals for memory 203 (220, 230, 260-280) and two terminals for sensor 104 (250, 290), however, another number of terminals may be used Due to the device specification. For example, him terminal connected to the device with high voltage can be one. In this case, that terminal can be arranged in the position of any of terminals 205, 290 described above.

While in the realization of this document the invention is implemented in an ink cartridge 100, its implementation is not limited to ink cartridges, since it is also possible its implementation similarly in receptacles containing other types of printing material, such as toner

With respect to the provisions of the circuit main control 40 and the carriage circuit 500 in the apparatus of impression, the portions of these provisions implemented to through hardware they could instead be implemented through software, and conversely, the portions implemented through of the software could instead be implemented through the hardware.

While the container for material printing and the plate of the invention have been shown and described based on the embodiment and the variant, the embodiments of the invention described herein are merely to facilitate the understanding of the invention, and do not imply any limitation. The invention is defined by the appended claims and only It is limited by them. Various modifications are possible and improvements of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the same, as listed in the appended claims.

Claims (66)

1. A container for printing material (100) detachable that attaches to a printing apparatus (1000) the which contains a plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, the container for printing material that understands: a first device (203) and a group of terminals that includes a plurality of first terminals (220, 230, 260, 270, 280), in which the plurality of first terminals are connected to the first device and respectively include a first contact portion (cp) to make contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the device; characterized in that it also includes: a second device (104); Y a plurality of second terminals (250, 290) and at least a third terminal (210, 240) in the terminal group, in those who: the plurality of second terminals are connected to the second device and respectively includes a second contact portion to make contact with a terminal corresponding between the plurality of disposed terminals of the device side the plurality of second terminals are arranged to have a higher externally applied voltage to them that the plurality of first terminals, the at least a third terminal is to detect short circuits between one of said second terminals and the al minus a third terminal and includes a third contact portion to make contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, the second contact portions are arranged with a part of the plurality of the first portions of contact so that they form a first row, the second contact portions are arranged respectively at each end of the first row, and the at least a third contact portion and the remaining part of the plurality of the first portions of contact are arranged so that they form a second row, and the al less a third contact portion is arranged in one of the two ends of the second row. 2. A container for printing material according to claim 1, wherein: the at least a third contact portion is located adjacent to the at least a second portion of Contact. 3. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims that It contains a plurality of third terminals. 4. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, in which the first row and the second row are generally disposed orthogonal with respect to the insertion address, and in which, the first row is arranged more far in the direction of insertion than the second row. 5. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, in which the first row and the second row are generally disposed orthogonal with respect to the insertion direction, and in which the contact portions arranged so that they form the first row and the contact portions arranged so that they form the second row are arranged in a alternate arrangement

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6. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, and in which the at least a third terminal it comprises a portion arranged more displaced from the middle of the terminal group in a substantially orthogonal direction to the insertion direction that the second contact portion adjacent. 7. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the terminals include portions formed outside the respective rows in which the respective contact portions. 8. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a third terminal is located closer to the at less a second terminal than any of the first terminals 9. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second terminal is arranged closer in a lateral direction of the edge of the container for material impression that at least a portion of each of the first terminals 10. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are at least two of said second terminals and at least one portion of each of the first terminals is arranged in shape lateral between the two of said second terminals. 11. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is a memory to store information related to the impression material contained in the container for print material. 12. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second device is a sensor to determine the amount of impression material contained in the container for material Print. 13. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second device is operated by a voltage higher than the First device 14. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, container  containing printing material to be supplied to the device Print. 15. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of said third terminals is provided based on a one-to-one ratio for each of these seconds terminals 16. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminals of the terminal group are arranged so that they form one or multiple rows of terminals, and wherein said second terminal is arranged respectively at each end of a row of terminals between the Single or multiple rows of terminals. 17. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminals of the terminal group are arranged so that they form a first row of terminals and a second row of terminals, wherein one of said second terminals is disposes respectively at each end of the first row of terminals, and in which said at least a third terminal is has at least one of the two ends of the second row of terminals 18. A container for printing material according to claim 17, in which there is a plurality of third parties terminals and third terminals respectively are arranged in each end of the second row of terminals. 19. A container for printing material according to claim 17 or claim 18, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction,

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in which the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals are generally arranged orthogonal in relation to the direction of insertion, and in which the first row of terminals is arranged further in the insertion direction than the second row of terminals. 20. A container for printing material according to any one of claims 17 to 19, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, in which the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals are generally arranged orthogonal in relation to the direction of insertion, and in which the terminals arranged so that form the first row of terminals and terminals arranged so that they form the second row of terminals are They have an alternate arrangement. 21. A container for printing material according to any one of claims 1 to 16, in which the terminals of the terminal group are they have so that they form a single row of terminals, in which the at least one second terminal is disposes at one end of the single terminal row, and in which the at least a third terminal is arranged so that it is placed adjacently towards inside from the at least a second terminal arranged in the extreme. 22. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a third terminal surrounds at least a second terminal. 23. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are at least two of said second terminals and each of the first terminals are arranged laterally between the two of said second terminals. 24. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a third terminal is also used to detect if the container for printing material is coupled to the printing apparatus 25. A container for printing material according to claim 24, in which the plurality of first terminals includes a ground terminal, and in which the third terminal used to detect if the container for printing material is coupled to the printing device short circuits with the terminal of Earth. 26. A container for printing material of according to claim 25, in which the ground terminal and the third terminal used to detect if the container for material printing is attached to the printing apparatus are formed entirely by a single component in a single row. 27. A container for printing material according to claim 24 or claim 25, in which the terminal group includes one or one plurality of third terminals used to detect if the container for printing material is coupled to the printing apparatus, and in which the type of material container Printing can be determined by the printing apparatus, based on the quantity and position of the single or plurality of third terminals used to detect if the container for printing material is coupled to the apparatus of Print. 28. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, which It also includes: a box containing the print material; Y a plate installed on the box; in which the terminal group is arranged on the license plate.

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29. A container for printing material according to any one of claims 1 to 27, comprising too: a box containing the print material; Y a plate installed on the box; in which the first terminals and at least one third terminal within the terminal group are arranged on the plate and in which at least a second terminal inside The terminal group is arranged on the box. 30. A container for printing material according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the First device is installed on the board. 31. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a gap is formed between the second terminal and another terminal adjacent to the second terminal. 32. A container for printing material according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a porous element is placed between the second terminal and another terminal adjacent to the second terminal. 33. A plate (200) mountable on a container for detachable printing material (100) that can be attached a printing apparatus (1000) having a plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, in which the container for printing material it has a second device (104), the plate comprising: a first device (203); Y a terminal group that includes a plurality of first terminals (220, 230, 260, 270, 280), a plurality of second terminals (250, 290) and at least a third terminal (210, 240); in which: the plurality of first terminals are connected to the first device and include respectively a first contact portion to make contact with a terminal corresponding between the plurality of disposed terminals of the side of the device, the plurality of second terminals can be connect with the second device and include respectively a second contact portion to make contact with a terminal corresponding between the plurality of disposed terminals of the side of the device, the plurality of second terminals are arranged so that they have a voltage applied externally to them more high than the plurality of first terminals, the at least a third terminal serves to detect short circuits between one of said second terminals and at  minus a third terminal and includes a third contact portion to make contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, the second contact portions are arranged with a part of the plurality of the first portions of contact so that they form a first row, the second contact portions are arranged respectively at each end of the first row, and the at least a third contact portion and the remaining part of the plurality of the first portions of contacts are arranged in such a way that they form a second row, Y the at least a third contact portion is It has one of the two ends of the second row. 34. A plate according to claim 33, in the that the at least a third contact portion is located adjacent to the at least a second portion of Contact. 35. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 36 containing a plurality of third parties terminals, in which the third contact portions of the plurality of third terminals are arranged respectively in Each end of the second row. 36. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 35, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, in which the first row and the second row are they are generally orthogonal in relation to the insertion direction, and in which the first row is arranged further in the direction of insertion than the second row. 37. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 36, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, and in which the first row and the second row are they are generally orthogonal in relation to the insertion direction, and in which the contact portions arranged so that they form the first row and the contact portions arranged so that they form the second row are arranged in a alternate arrangement 38. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 37, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, and in which at least a third terminal comprises a portion arranged in a position more displaced from the middle of the terminal group in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction than the second contact portion adjacent. 39. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 38, wherein the terminals include portions formed outside the respective rows in which they form the respective contact portions. 40. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 39, wherein at least a third terminal is find closer to the at least one second terminal than any of the first terminals. 41. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 40, wherein at least a second terminal is has a plate edge closer in a lateral direction that at least a portion of each of the first terminals 42. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 41, wherein there are at least two of said second terminals and at least a portion of each of the first terminals are arranged laterally between the two of said second terminals. 43. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 42, wherein the first device is a memory to store information related to the material of impression contained in the container for material Print. 44. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 43, wherein the second device is a sensor to determine a quantity of print material contained in the container for printing material. 45. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 44, wherein the second device is operated by a higher voltage than the first device. 46. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 45, which container contains material for printing to be supplied to the printing apparatus. 47. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 46, wherein one of said third terminals based on a one-to-one relationship for each one of said second terminals. 48. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 47, wherein the group terminals terminal are arranged so that they form one or multiple rows of terminals, and wherein said second terminal is arranged respectively at each end of a row of terminals between the Single or multiple rows of terminals.

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49. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 48, in which the terminals of the terminal group are they have so that they form a first row of terminals and a second row of terminals, wherein said second terminal is arranged respectively at each end of the first row of terminals, and in which the at least a third terminal is has at least one of the two ends of the second row of terminals 50. A plate according to claim 49, in which there is a plurality of third parties terminals and third terminals respectively are arranged in each end of the second row of terminals. 51. A plate according to claim 49 or the claim 50, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, in which the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals are generally arranged orthogonal with respect to the direction of insertion, and in which the first row of terminals is arranged further in the insertion direction than the second row of terminals. 52. A plate according to any one of the claims 49 to 51, in which the container for material of printing can be attached to the printing device by insertion in a prescribed insertion direction, in which the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals are generally arranged orthogonal with respect to the direction of insertion, and in which the terminals arranged so that form the first row of terminals and terminals arranged so that they form the second row of terminals are They have an alternate arrangement. 53. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 48, in which the terminals of the terminal group are they have so that they form a single row of terminals, in which the at least one second terminal is It has at one end of the single row of terminals, and in which the at least a third terminal is arranged so that it is located adjacently inward from the at least one second terminal disposed at the end. 54. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 53, wherein at least a third terminal surround at least a second terminal. 55. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 54, wherein there are at least two seconds terminals and each of the first terminals are arranged in lateral form between the two of said second terminals. 56. A plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 55, wherein at least a third terminal is also used to detect if the container for material Print is attached to the printing device. 57. A plate according to claim 56, in which the plurality of first terminals includes a ground terminal, and in which the third terminal used to detect if the container for printing material is coupled to the printing device short circuits with the terminal of Earth. 58. A plate according to claim 57, in which the ground terminal and the third terminal used to detect if the container for material printing is attached to the printing apparatus are formed entirely through a single component in a single row. 59. A plate according to claim 56 or the claim 57, in which the terminal group includes one or one plurality of third terminals used to detect if the container for printing material is coupled to the printing apparatus, and in which the type of material container Printing can be determined by the printing apparatus, based on the quantity and position of the sole or plurality of third terminals used to detect if the container for printing material is coupled to the apparatus of Print. 60. A plate (200) mountable on a container of removable print material (100) that can be coupled to a printing apparatus (1000) having a plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, in which the container for printing material has a second device (104), plate that understands: a first device (203); Y a terminal group that includes at least one plurality of first terminals (220, 230, 260, 270, 280), a plurality of trimmed portions (NT1, NT2) in which they can insert respective second terminals (150, 190) mounted on the container for printing material and at least a third terminal (210, 240), in which: the plurality of first terminals connect to the first device and respectively include a first contact portion to make contact with a terminal corresponding between the plurality of disposed terminals of the side of the device, the plurality of second terminals connect to the second device and respectively include a second contact portion to make contact with a terminal corresponding between the plurality of disposed terminals of the side of the device, the plurality of second terminals are arranged so that they have a voltage applied externally to them more high than the plurality of first terminals, the at least a third terminal serves to detect short circuits between one of said second terminals and the at least a third terminal and includes a third portion of contact to make contact with a corresponding terminal between the plurality of terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, when mounted in the material container printing, the second contact portions are arranged with a part of the plurality of the first contact portions of way they form a first row, the second contact portions are arranged respectively at each end of the first row, and the at least a third contact portion and the remaining part of the plurality of the first portions of contact are arranged so that they form a second row, and the al minus a third contact portion is arranged in one of the two ends of the second row. 61. A container for printing material that it has mounted on it a plate according to any one of the claims 33 to 60. 62. A printing device that has coupled thereto a container for printing material according to a any of claims 1 to 32 and 61. 63. A printing apparatus according to claim 62, printing apparatus containing a group side terminal of the apparatus that includes a plurality of first terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, a plurality of second terminals arranged on the side of the device, and a plurality of third terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, in which the terminals within the group side terminal of the apparatus are arranged so that they form a first row and a second row, in which the plurality of second terminals arranged on the side of the device are arranged respectively in each end of the first row and the third terminals disposed of the side of the apparatus are arranged respectively at each end of the second row, in which each of the second terminals arranged on the side of the device is adjacent to any of the third terminals arranged on the side of the apparatus, and in which the first, second and third terminals arranged on the side of the device are connected to the first, second and third respective terminals of the container for print material.

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64. A procedure for preparing a container for printing material, method comprising: assembly of a plate according to any one of claims 33 to 60 in a container for printing material. 65. A procedure for preparing a container for printing material comprising: filling a container for print material according to any one of the claims 1 to 32 and 61 with printing material, so that the second device can detect the print material in the container for printing material. 66. A method according to claim 64 or claim 65, wherein the printing material is ink.